Next stage announced for Eglinton Crosstown West Extension

The province announced another step forward in the construction process for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension a 9.2 kilometre addition to the yet-to-be-opened Eglinton LRT.

At a press conference on Monday, Transportation minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the province has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the design and construction of seven new stations along the extension.

The contract includes all architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical work for the stations, as well as outfitting the tunnels and the elevated guideway with track and signals.

"Across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, we're investing billions of dollars in transforming public transit," Sarkariasaid.

"Our government knows transit keeps people moving and is a key driver of economic growth, connecting people not only to jobs, but also to friends and family, medical appointments, school and so much more."

The line is being constructed through four contracts. Today's announcement relates to the fourth contract,with the first three related to tunneling and the elevated guideway, which isthe above-ground section of the route between Scarlett Road and Jane Street.

Tunneling workbegan in 2022 with almost five kilometres already complete.

The extension will start at Mount Dennis station in the east, running through Etobicoke to Renforth station in the west, with potential for a future link to Pearson International Airport.

The transportation minister faced questions at the announcement regarding the timeline and overall cost for the extension. He said they've learned lessons from previous projects and arefocused on the procurement process, but the province is spending $70 billion over the next decadeon transit projects.

WATCH | Officials provide an update on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension:

Ontario's transportation minister reveals next steps for Eglinton Crosstown West Extension

5 months ago

Duration 2:55

The provincial government announced on Monday that it has started the procurement process for the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension light rail line. Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria says this move marks another step toward building the yet-to-be-opened Eglinton LRT.

Cameron MacLeod, executive director of CodeRedTO, a transit advocacy group, said he's not surprised the full cost wasn't provided.

"Unfortunately, when it comes to the Eglinton Crosstown, we've seen that previous predictions just didn't pan out," he said.

"There's new things that have to be incorporated, and that's a normal thing that happens ... It doesn't mean necessarily that the project is a failure."

In a news release, Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx said they will be evaluating submissions to ensure teams have the relevant experience and financial capacity to deliver a project of this size and complexity.

An estimated 69,700 rides are expected on the line each day.

"Today's announcement is another sign of progress in delivering good, reliable transit across the city," Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a release.

"I hope that we can soon have thousands of people filling up these stations and excited about exploring all the amazing things that Mount Dennis and the neighbouring communities have to offer."

The announcement comes after years of delays to the Eglinton LRT, the 25-stop, 19-kilometre line that runs from Kennedy Station in the east to Mount Dennis station in the west.

Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster provided an update on theproject Monday, saying all major construction is now complete.

"What concerns me most though is the software defects in the signaling and train control system and the rectification of those defects," he said. "They're making good progress with it, but it's not as fast as we would like it to be."

The other major concerns are in retaining outstanding occupancy certificates, he said, and the system integration tests, which are now 50 per cent complete, up from 15 per cent in December.

Verster said the transit agency will provide an opening date for the Eglinton LRT three months ahead of time.